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Hi I'm Michelle

I served an 18-month full-time mission in the great state of Texas, I am a pre-service teacher, and I am a Mormon!

About Me

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I just got back from serving a mission, and now I'm a full-time college student. I'm kind of a jack-of-all-trades; music, art, science, math, history, writing...I love it all! With that, I'm up for trying just about anything: bring on the adventures! Time with family is the best thing in life!

Why I am a Mormon

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People might look at me--someone who grew up in the church--and think I must not have a conversion story. And if they're looking for conversion over the course of a few weeks, I guess I'd agree with them. But, looking back on the many experiences I've had in my life, I can honestly say that I have been converted again and again to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I remember the night I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true, and the feelings of peace and light that brought me my answer. I remember learning how miserable I would be without the love of the Savior, Jesus Christ, in my life. I remember being in the same room as the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and feeling the Holy Ghost tell me that he is God's prophet on the earth today. I remember being able to go through the temple for the first time, and how grateful I was for God's plan to let me be with my family forever.
I am a Mormon because it makes me happy! I am a Mormon because it brings me peace in a troubled world. I am a Mormon because living the gospel helps me feel the Lord's love. I am a Mormon because I know that, through Jesus Christ, I can live with God and my family forever.

How I live my faith

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Lately I've been doing a lot of subbing for different teachers. In the past few months I've taught 9-year-olds, 18-year-olds, and women 19 on up. It has been a blast, and it's really great practice for being a missionary because teaching about the Savior is what we do all day, every day.
I'm also a "visiting teacher." Visiting teaching is a system the church uses to make sure all the women are doing okay. Two women are paired up and assigned to visit a few other women. I'm not perfect at this, but I love being part of it because it helps me be brave and make new friends!

Why do you have 12 Apostles? They were just meant to be around for the time of Jesus Christ, not to be replaced with new apostles.

Michelle

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Even though Jesus knew that the world would eventually fall into apostasy after His death, He organized His church to last. The New Testament apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11-14 that apostles and prophets are important to "bring us to a unity of the faith", and many books in the New Testament show Paul doing just that: teaching members in different places the true doctrines and helping them stay unified. After the original 12 Apostles died, no one was there to keep the saints unified; this is why so many Christian churches exist today. Now, the church has members all around the world. There's no way the 12 Apostles would be able to visit everyone like Paul did, so we have General Conference every 6 months. These conferences are broadcast to the world, letting us hear the word of God and stay unified in the faith.Show moreShow less

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Michelle

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Recently, the required age for missionaries was changed to 18 for young men and 19 for young women. This is exciting because it gives more people the chance to serve missions! Despite these changes, it's still not required for Mormons to go on missions. We are taught that this service is a priesthood responsibility for all young men, but no one is ever forced to go. For young women, a mission isn't an expectation, but it is a welcome option.Show moreShow less

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